SUPERCOMMUNICATORS

As presented, the question that Charles Duhigg seeks to unpack in the book Supercommunicators is, “Why are some people better at communicating than others?”

It’s a compelling question, because who hasn’t marveled at some savant's ability to make a point convincingly, work a room effectively, or rouse an audience?

The answer it would seem—to oversimplify the thoughtful discussion Duhigg presents in his book—is that so-called supercommunicators understand what kind of conversation is taking place at a given point in time and are able to adjust accordingly. The underlying point, therefore, is that what prevents a conversation from going smoothly is a mismatch between what people think a conversation is for and the kind of conversation that is taking place.

As such, Duhigg submits that in reality all conversations —and what is communication at its simplest if not a conversation?—can be categorized into one of three types:

• Decision-making conversations. ("What's this really about?)
• Emotional conversations. ("How do we feel?)
• Social conversations. ("Who are we?")

Each, of course, unfolds in a different way or requires a different approach to be effective. But unless those involved in the conversation are aligned about the kind of conversation that's taking place, then more than likely that conversation will go poorly. Hence, the real superpower of supercommunicators is their meta-awareness: they understand what kind of conversation needs to take place and bring others around to have precisely that conversation.

It's certainly an interesting and helpful perspective on communication, all the more so given that Duhigg himself is an experienced journalist yet felt compelled to write the book, by his admission, precisely because of perceived shortcomings in his own personal communication skills. This, perhaps more than anything, is the real crux of the book. Duhigg may be focusing on what makes supercommunicators, well, super, but the question he's really investigating in the book is, "Why must communication be so hard?"

There may be no satisfactory answer to that question—it just is!—though the notion that we all have to be on the same page about what kind of conversation we're having will no doubt be immensely helpful. But what stands out in Supercommunicators is the effort that anyone has to undertake just to make sure a conversation goes well. The book may not be framed in this manner, but it's hard to escape the subtext. Duhigg offers a lot of practical insight to make conversations work: active listening, priming, you name it. The lessons to take away in this regard? One's approach is important. Technique matters. More importantly? That communication is a process. It requires effort and adjustment and refinement. Therefore we shouldn't take it for granted that a conversation will go well just because we're clear about what the message ought to be.

Insightful and practical communication guide that practices its own advice. Clear examples and actionable strategies make complex concepts accessible. Highly recommend for anyone seeking to elevate their connection skills! Will be purchasing.

A fascinating look at how we communicate and how or why some are considered supercommunicators. There are those out there that are naturals at it, and they train others to become supercommunicators. The book is broken into sections about our different ways of communicating. A good read.

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg dives into the science behind how we communicate effectively, offering practical advice on how to convey ideas and influence others. What I loved about it is how he blends real-world examples, research, and stories to break down the key elements of successful communication. Whether you’re in business, education, or just trying to improve your personal connections, there’s something valuable in here.

Fantastic book about becoming an excellent communicator. Duhigg inspires with stories and examples that help the reader clearly see the tips and principles in action, making the content both engaging and easily grasped. As a communication trainer myself, I found his insights extremely helpful in my work as well.

I've read a few books by Charles Duhigg and in all honesty The Power of Habit, the first I read of his, was the best and the rest have felt like attempts to recapture the success that one had. That being said, when the publisher reached out with a copy of this one I said "Sure, why not?"*

I work in communications and I'm always interested in how others see it and what the latest trends/fads/ideas are. In reading this, I found that I do quite a few of the things Duhigg observes the best communicators do, so that was reassuring. Duhigg takes a look at communications from across all walks of life from FBI interviewees (both HR and interrogation), lawyers, simple spousal conversations, group interviews, jury proceedings, television shows, and so many other examples.

He attempts to classify and catalogue what it is that makes these various settings unique, but the communicators universal. Whether or not he's successful is up for debate. I guess that depends on whether you view this as a how-to guidebook or a showcase. If it's the latter, then sure it's successful, if it's the former then maybe not so much. Duhigg identifies what they do, but a lot of it feels like oh it's in their being, they just have the supercommunicator factor and others don't.

The one exception, for me at least, felt like when Duhigg name checks Harvard Negotiation Project and their book Getting to Yes. I've read this book, and it is slightly more applicable to real world application than this one because it better (or maybe just more clearly) dissects what makes a good negotiation and how to apply it universally to other negotiations.

Don't get me wrong, this book is well written and researched, and clearly edited well, it just felt a little too on the surface for me. I think I either wanted more direct application like his first book, or more in depth examples, like walk me through EVERYTHING.

"One of the reasons supercommunicators are so talented at picking up on how others feel is because they have a habit of noticing the energy in others' gestures, the volume of their voices, how fast they are speaking, their cadence and affect. They pay attention to whether someone's posture indicates they are feeling down, or if they are so excited they can barely contain it. And they allow themselves to match that energy and mood, or at least acknowledge it, and thereby make it clear they want to align. They help us see and hear our own feelings in their bodies and voices. By matching our mood and energy, they make it obvious they are trying to connect." (Chapter 4)

The above quote I think was probably the one that stood out most for me. It highlighted that in order to be a good communicator you have to be a good observer—and I couldn't agree more. Duhigg talked about this and how it goes beyond just the conversation you're in immediately. Observations before, during and after are all important and this is one of the major parallels between Supercommunicators and Getting to Yes.

There was also one line that really annoyed me and I'm not really sure why:

"Sometimes, simply reminding ourselves that we all contain multitudes can shift how we speak and listen." (Chapter 6)

I know it's from the Walt Whitman poem and I still occasionally think about Henstra's We Contain Multitudes, but for some reason just having this thrust into a chapter about anti-vaxxers really upset me. It undid all the work Duhigg had done to show how conversations can go with those that are super entrenched in something that may be completely opposite ideological to your beliefs. And rather than ending on a don't be f*cking stupid trust science, he ended on that.

Recommendation: Overall, it's a decent read. It wasn't quite what I wanted, but it was about what I was expecting. The breadth of examples Duhigg covers, left me wanting a little bit more on each of them. Seriously, each could probably be their own book versus a chapter or sub-chapter of this book. It also would've made the book a little more powerful if there were more definitive statements and fewer perhapses. Duhigg continues to do what he does with well researched and well written ideas that have impact across sectors in an approachable and easy-to-read manner.

Charles Duhigg’s *Supercommunicators* is an insightful and practical guide to improving communication skills. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Duhigg offers actionable strategies for making messages clearer, more engaging, and impactful. He explores how great communicators build trust, capture attention, and motivate others, making the book relevant for professionals and anyone looking to improve their personal interactions.

The author blends psychology and social dynamics to explain the nuances of effective communication, especially in today’s fast-paced media landscape. Duhigg’s writing is engaging and accessible, filled with interesting case studies that keep readers hooked. Overall, *Supercommunicators* is a valuable resource for anyone eager to enhance their ability to connect and communicate more effectively.

This is SUCH a good book - truly tremendous, and thoughtful, and made me change how I see my own communication style. Highly recommend.

This is brilliant -- an engaging and accessible foray into how we communicate and how to do it better. It is packed with real-world examples and practical information, making it a quick and easy read that will stick with you,

We humans don't just want to be heard -- we want psychological safety and authentic connection. Much of what you find in this book is similar to what you might find if you read books on mediation or conflict management. It's more than just "how to make people think you are listening" but what makes people good communicators and how to really connect with other people.

The first 40-50% of this book was super enjoyable and a quick read. The remaining part of the book (about 25% of the ebook are thoroughly annotated references) almost reads like a couple of different long articles shuffled together to create a book-length work.

The author created this book as a result of doing his own personal research into why he was so personally "bad" at communication. He felt like he just was getting a lot of things wrong and decided to dig into the topic. He uses a lot of case study material - especially Netflix and a Harvard study of adult development.

The basic guidelines are:

1. Set some ground rules - what's okay? What's out of bounds? This helps prevent "kitchen sinking" and ground rules can also include time limits or cooling off periods.

2. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable -- feeling awkward is okay.

3. Accept mistakes, curiosity and understanding are more important than perfection.

4. The goal is to share - not persuade. You don't have to change someone's mind.

5. No blaming, shaming or attacks.

6. Speak about your own views and experiences.

7. Confidentiality is key - psychological safety is critical to authentic conversations.

8. Respect is essential.

9. Pause or step away if it's too painful to revisit a particular trauma or experience.

If you've read "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall Rosenberg or participated in an NVC workship (https://www.cnvc.org/) -- these guidelines will not be novel. If you've ever gone through mediation training -- you'll have learned much of the same thing from books like "Crucial Conversations."

What Duhigg brings to the existing body of related work on this topic is an in-depth look at some more recent case studies. His reference section is also enjoyable and may turn up additional readings that you will find useful.

I love stories and Charles tells great emotional stories through this book! My favorite section how do we feel conversation. This is particularly important because I have struggled with this. The Guide at the end of this was very useful for me to take what the stories discussed, linking each section to application!

"Supercommunicators" by Charles Duhigg is an insightful exploration of effective communication in our increasingly interconnected world. Duhigg, known for his best-selling works on habits and productivity, applies his keen analytical skills to the art of conversation, highlighting how successful communicators navigate complex interactions.

The book delves into the techniques and strategies used by individuals who excel at conveying their ideas and building relationships. Duhigg examines various contexts—from personal to professional—illustrating how clarity, empathy, and engagement can transform communication.

With a blend of engaging storytelling and practical advice, "Supercommunicators" empowers readers to enhance their communication skills and foster deeper connections. It’s a valuable read for anyone looking to improve their ability to connect and resonate with others in today’s fast-paced environment.

4.5/5

Charles Duhigg is one of the authors I trust the most when it comes to these types of books, sometimes classified in the self/help category. His previous book, The Power of Habit, is probably my favorite book in the genre.

This book explore the scientific foundations of communications and included some real-life examples and anecdotes. Although there is a decent amount of scientific information in the book, there is humor that is spread out that helps with the pacing and read-ability for the average consumer. The concepts are easy to understand and digest and apply to real-life.

I have recommended this book in my own life and I will gladly recommend it here.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for the honest review.

I’m fascinated by how poorly we communicate. I have watched conversations where one party believes they are chatting about one topic and the other is saying something opposite and neither side can figure out what the other is talking about – or both believe they agree. Written words are not much better. Texting and social media have made this area even more complex.

I read Supercommunicators to see if there was a way to learn to avoid common pitfalls.

Duhigg’s newest book may indeed help you to improve your communication. He steps the reader through what he’s identified that makes some individuals super communicators, provides many example anecdotes as well as reviewing current research, and offers tools to apply. There are guidelines for hard conversations and even some guidance for online discussions (good luck with them).

In theory it’s simple and he posits that each conversation needs to answer three key questions: what (is it about), how (do we feel), and who (are we to connect to the discussion and find common ground). To be a super communicator is to continuously loop through these three questions during the conversation and stay attuned for changes and adapt as necessary.

Personally, I found the Afterword and, specifically, discussion of the Grant Study at Harvard the most fascinating. I’m intrigued by loneliness and its far-reaching effects on health. However, it is the lessons throughout the text which can be useful for those working to find more meaningful conversations no matter one’s age or interests.

This is the sort of book one can skim or read cover to cover. A quick read can give you quick tips and a deeper one will help you better understand and become a super communicator.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Power of Habit when I read it years ago, so I knew I would be picking up Duhigg’s latest work that uncovers the habits of Supercommunicators. The findings in this book may not be revolutionary, but the four main practices are easy to grasp and implement. Where Duhigg falls short in this book is his examples; in The Power of Habit, he selected perfect examples that hammered home his key points and stuck with you afterwards. The examples used in this book were a stretch — this will muddy my recall of the book’s learnings.

I was excited to get an ARC of this book, because I loved Duhigg's previous books, The Power of Habit and (especially) Smarter Faster Better. I am a pastor, and we have a wide range of responsibilities, almost no day-to-day management above us managing our time, and sometimes odd and changing hours. I have always been drawn to self-help and to productivity books, despite the fact that very few are actually really really good (Duhigg, Gregg McKeown, Cal Newport, Oliver Burkeman), and many are just poor (especially in times when book deals go to influencers with a single good TEDx talk or post).

In this book, I appreciate that Duhigg comes to his topic out of personal need. In professional and personal settings, he experienced his shortcomings as a communicator, and he saw how it affected others, and yet he knew that some people seem to get it. Chapter by chapter, he introduces interesting people and examples of "supercommunicators" at work in various fields. The stories are interesting, the prose is strong, the organization is good.

Ultimately, however, the book feels both overly narrow and not deep enough. I wanted him to go deeper, when he sometimes just summarizes the work of others, then moves on to practical tips. 3.5 stars.

I approached this book hoping to learn more about how to become a super communicator in my career. My job requires a lot of communication with different people across many different sectors. I liked this book overall, as it highlighted something that I think most don't -- there are people that are exceptional communicators and most don't recognize why. I feel like I have some of the skills of a supercommunicator and I was hoping this book would lend me a few more tips.

Overall, I don't think this gave any particularly insightful advice to improving your communication skills if you already have a basis in communications strategies. There were examples of super communicators, but no particularly advice in this book jumped out to me as something I needed to focus on.

With an elaborate development of a situation like the recruiting spy - almost as a fictional novel, many aspects of communication are explained in action as to how do you make impossible people your allies.

Five stars...Duhigg does it again! We are all communicators in some fashion and I am always looking for ways to listen and communicate better. This is a valuable resource full of great stories and helpful ideas on how to communicate better!

This is another solid book from Duhigg. His prose is easy to read and digest, this time about mastering communication with others. This is easily applicable to others and much needed in our current world of echo chambers and closed mindedness.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing.